Bicycle kickstand

ABSTRACT

The kickstand includes simple quick-attachable means for a safe and effective mounting thereof upon a bicycle frame characterized by a single tubular shank member that connects the crank housing with the lower rear wheel fork of the frame; the mounting including a single fastener, and means to preclude mutilation or collapse of the shank member incident to installation and use of the kickstand.

llnited States Patent 3 ,6 5 2 1 0 Humlong an. 28, 1972 54] BICYCLEKICKSTAND 3,046,040 7/1962 Luper ..248/23O x [721 Inventor Robert FHumlon Ma sviile K 2657941 11/1953 Y r 795,599 7/1905 [73] Assignec:Wald Manufacturing Company, Incor- 2,615,729 0/ 1 porated MaysvilleAtwood et a1. 122] Filed: May 1970 Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. Betts[21] Appl.No.: 35,639

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,308,794 1/1943 Thompson..280/301 Attorney-J. Warren Kinney, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT The kickstand includes simple quick-attachable means fora safe and effective mounting thereof upon a bicycle frame characterizedby a single tubular shank member that connects the crank housing withthe lower rear wheel fork of the frame; the mounting including a singlefastener, and means to preclude mutilation or collapse of the shankmember incident to installation and use of the kickstand.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR28 I972 INVENTOR ROBERT F.HUMLONG ATT Y BICYCLE KICKSTAND This invention relates to a kickstandfor bicycles or the like.

The kickstand herein disclosed is adapted especially for application toa bicycle frame wherein the lower rear wheel fork is connected to thecrank housing by means of a single tubular shank member, thelongitudinal axis of which bisects the fork. In a construction of thiskind, it is important that the kickstand be so mounted as to precludeunsafe dislocation of the stand in the event of mounting fastenersbecoming loose or bent in service. Of importance also is the factor ofavoiding crushing or distortion of the shank member during installationand use of the kickstand, with possible weakening of the rear fork andits connection with the pedal crank housing.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable, yet safe andeffective kickstand for application to the single tubular shank memberof the lower rear fork of a bicycle frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a kickstand of thecharacter stated, mounting means therefor which will reliably supportthe kickstand without risk of crushing or deforming the lower rear forkshank member, during installation or use of the kickstand, or in theevent of accidental loosening of the mounting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a kickstand of thecharacter stated, which is inexpensive to manufacture and install, andwhich enhances the appearance of a bicycle.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means describedherein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawing, in which: I

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle having a single tubular shankmember of the lower rear wheel fork supporting the improved kickstand ofthe present invention, the kickstand support leg being shown inthe'operative supporting position.

H6. 2 is an enlarged detailed perspective view showing the kickstandinstalled 'upon the single tubular shank member of the lower rear wheelfork of the bicycle frame.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section taken through the mounting boltillustrated'by FIG. 2.

In the drawing, the bicycle frame generally is denoted 6, and includes acrank housing 8 for the bearings of a pedal crank or hanger 10. To thehousing 8 is welded or brazed a single tubular shank member 12 whichforms part of a lower rear wheel fork 16, within which the rear wheel 14is supported for rotation. The fork l6 usually is substantiallyhorizontally disposed, and the longitudinal axis of the single shankmember 12 substantially bisects the fork. Shank member 12 may be hollow,and substantially cylindrical in form.

The kickstand includes an inverted substantially U-shaped bracket 18which is formed of a rigid and durable metal, and comprises a pair ofdepending side walls 20 and 22 joined by an upper elongate connectingportion 24. Said connecting portion 24 has an upper elongate concavity26 formed therein, providing an open-topped elongate trough receptive ofthe single tubular shank member 12. The arcuacy of trough 26 preferablycorresponds to the external cylindrical curvature of shank portion 12,so as to provide a supportive bearing of substantial area.

Bracket 18 may be mounted upon shank member 12 by means of a single boltor equivalent anchor means 28 the shank of which passes through anopening 30 of bracket portion 24, and through vertically alignedopenings 32 and 34 formed in shank member 12. Opening 30 may be squaredto accommodate the square portion 36 at the head 28 of the mountingbolt, thereby to prevent rotation of the bolt when its nut 40 is rotatedin attaching or detaching the bracket. Anchor means other than bolt 28may be selected, as desired, for installing the kickstand bracket uponthe single tubular shank member 12.

A bearing plate 42 of rigid durable metal may be provided to cap andembrace the upper cylindrical surface of shank member 12, said plate 42being forced against the external curved surface of the shank member bytightening the nut 40.

Bearing plate 42 is elongate of form, and has a concave elongate innerwall 44 fumishing an extensive contact area or hearing area overlyingshank member 12. The inner wall 44 may be formed to correspondsubstantially with the arcuacy or external curvature of shank member 12,and will be apertured at 46 to receive bolt 28. By reason of theextensive bearing area provided between plate 42 and shank member 12,risk of collapsing or deforming the shank member when tightening the nut40 or otherwise imposing compressive force incident to use of thekickstand, is effectively eliminated.

The length of bearing plate 42 is substantial, and may approximate thelength of the trough portion 26 of bracket 18. The bearing plate issecured to shank member 12 by the same anchoring means that fixesbracket 18 thereto, namely, the fastener 28.

Bicycle support means for the kickstand may include a leg 50 of rigidmetal pivotally mounted upon one or both walls of bracket 18, forswinging movement between an operative support position as indicated,and a retracted or elevated inoperative position approximately parallelto fork 16.

Leg 50 may include a shaft portion 52 rockingly supported in apertures54 and 56 of the bracket walls. The shaft portion may carry acompression spring 58 acting against a washer 60 to constantlyyieldingly bias the leg against the outer face of bracket wall 20, wheresaid outer face is provided with a lateral depression 62 and an upwardlyinclined depression 64 arranged substantially at right angles thereto. Acamming area 66 of leg 50 is adapted to enter depression 62 ordepression 64, depending upon the lateral or the upright disposition ofleg 56, with the force of spring 58 acting to yieldably retain the legin either of the positions selected. In the upright position of leg 50as shown, the leg is operative to support the bicycle in standingposition, FIG. 1. Other means of relating leg 50 to bracket 18 may beresorted to, if desired.

In the light of the present disclosure, it will be appreciated that theimproved kickstand may be installed easily and quickly with minimaleffort and expense. Moreover, the means of anchoring or securing thekickstand bracket to the single tubular shank member of the lower rearfork, is highly effective for avoiding damage or mutilation of thebicycle frame, and assures a non-swivel safe disposition of thekickstand bracket even in the event of nut 40 becoming loose in service.

What is claimed is:

l. A kickstand for a bicycle having a single tubular shank memberconnecting the crank housing with the lower rear wheel fork of thebicycle frame, and comprising:

'an inverted substantially U-shaped bracket having spaced depending sidewalls joined by an upper elongate connecting portion, said connectingportion having an upper elongate concavity therein providing an open-toptrough receptive of said single tubular shank member;

bicycle support means comprising a depending leg pivotally mounted on aside wall of said bracket for swinging movement between an operativesupport position and an inoperative retracted position;

a bearing plate having a concave face engaging said shank member, saidplate being substantially the same length as the bracket;

and anchor means to detachably secure said bracket and bearing plate tosaid single tubular shank member, with said shank member resting withinthe trough aforesaid and the concave face engaging an opposed portion ofthe shank member, the anchor means passing through the bracket, bearingplate and shank member.

2. The kickstand as defined by claim 1, wherein the contour of saidopen-top trough corresponds substantially with the external curvature ofsaid tubular shank member.

3. The kickstand as defined by claim 1, wherein the contour of saidtrough and that of the concave elongate wall of the bearing plate,correspond substantially with the external curvature of said tubularshank member.

4. The kickstand as defined by claim 1, wherein said anchor meansincludes a fastener passing through aligned openings in said bracket,said bearing plate, and said single tubular shank member.

5. The kickstand as defined by claim 1, wherein said anchor meanscomprises a single bolt passing through aligned openings in saidbracket, said bearing plate, and said single tubular shank member.

6. In combination, the single tubular shank member connecting the crankhousing with the lower rear wheel fork of a bicycle frame; an invertedsubstantially U-shaped kickstand bracket having spaced depending sidewalls joined by an upper elongate connecting portion, said connectingportion having an upper elongate concavity therein providing an open-toptrough receptive of said single tubular shank member; bicycle supportmeans comprising a depending leg pivotally mounted on a side wall ofsaid bracket for swinging movement between an operative support positionand an inoperative retracted position; a bearing plate having a concaveface engaging said shank member, said plate being substantially the samelength as the bracket; and anchor means to detachably secure saidbracket and bearing plate to said single tubular shank member, with saidshank member resting within the trough aforesaid and the concave faceengaging an opposed portion of the shank member, the anchor meanspassing through the bracket, bearing plate and shank member.

7. The combination as defined by claim 6, wherein said anchor meanscomprises a fastener passing through aligned openings in said trough,said bearing plate and said single tubular shank member.

8. The combination as defined by claim 6, wherein the contour of saidopen-top trough corresponds substantially with the external curvature ofsaid tubular shank member.

9. The combination as defined by claim 6, wherein the contour of saidtrough and that of the concave elongate wall of the bearing plate,correspond substantially with the external curvature of said tubularshank member.

10. The combination as defined by claim 9, wherein said anchor meanscomprises a single bolt passing through aligned openings in said bracketand said single tubular shank member.

11. The combination as defined by claim 9, wherein said anchor meanscomprises a fastener passing through aligned openings in said trough andsaid single tubular shank member.

1. A kickstand for a bicycle having a single tubular shank memberconnecting the crank housing with the lower rear wheel fork of thebicycle frame, and comprising: an inverted substantially U-shapedbracket having spaced depending side walls joined by an upper elongateconnecting portion, said connecting portion having an upper elongateconcavity therein providing an open-top trough receptive of said singletubular shank member; bicycle support means comprisIng a depending legpivotally mounted on a side wall of said bracket for swinging movementbetween an operative support position and an inoperative retractedposition; a bearing plate having a concave face engaging said shankmember, said plate being substantially the same length as the bracket;and anchor means to detachably secure said bracket and bearing plate tosaid single tubular shank member, with said shank member resting withinthe trough aforesaid and the concave face engaging an opposed portion ofthe shank member, the anchor means passing through the bracket, bearingplate and shank member.
 2. The kickstand as defined by claim 1, whereinthe contour of said open-top trough corresponds substantially with theexternal curvature of said tubular shank member.
 3. The kickstand asdefined by claim 1, wherein the contour of said trough and that of theconcave elongate wall of the bearing plate, correspond substantiallywith the external curvature of said tubular shank member.
 4. Thekickstand as defined by claim 1, wherein said anchor means includes afastener passing through aligned openings in said bracket, said bearingplate, and said single tubular shank member.
 5. The kickstand as definedby claim 1, wherein said anchor means comprises a single bolt passingthrough aligned openings in said bracket, said bearing plate, and saidsingle tubular shank member.
 6. In combination, the single tubular shankmember connecting the crank housing with the lower rear wheel fork of abicycle frame; an inverted substantially U-shaped kickstand brackethaving spaced depending side walls joined by an upper elongateconnecting portion, said connecting portion having an upper elongateconcavity therein providing an open-top trough receptive of said singletubular shank member; bicycle support means comprising a depending legpivotally mounted on a side wall of said bracket for swinging movementbetween an operative support position and an inoperative retractedposition; a bearing plate having a concave face engaging said shankmember, said plate being substantially the same length as the bracket;and anchor means to detachably secure said bracket and bearing plate tosaid single tubular shank member, with said shank member resting withinthe trough aforesaid and the concave face engaging an opposed portion ofthe shank member, the anchor means passing through the bracket, bearingplate and shank member.
 7. The combination as defined by claim 6,wherein said anchor means comprises a fastener passing through alignedopenings in said trough, said bearing plate and said single tubularshank member.
 8. The combination as defined by claim 6, wherein thecontour of said open-top trough corresponds substantially with theexternal curvature of said tubular shank member.
 9. The combination asdefined by claim 6, wherein the contour of said trough and that of theconcave elongate wall of the bearing plate, correspond substantiallywith the external curvature of said tubular shank member.
 10. Thecombination as defined by claim 9, wherein said anchor means comprises asingle bolt passing through aligned openings in said bracket and saidsingle tubular shank member.
 11. The combination as defined by claim 9,wherein said anchor means comprises a fastener passing through alignedopenings in said trough and said single tubular shank member.